Chapter 36
Chapter 36
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: The Disappeared Knight
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“A mage...”
Partek’s expression darkened instantly.
Glad and Raban, who had been quietly following along, couldn’t hold back their curiosity and cautiously chimed in.
“Bro, have you ever seen a mage?”
“Doesn’t having a mage make things better?”
“It does. For a mana realm owner, it’s a huge boon. But most mages...”
As Partek explained what he knew about mages to the two mercenaries, the slaves also perked up and listened in.
Mirian, stuck to Eugene, chattered away at him.
“Tsk tsk! Even our big bear doesn’t know much about mages. Milord, mages aren’t all that special. They die just like anyone else if you stick a sword in them. Plenty of mages have lost their heads showing off to knights.”
“...”
“My seniors said you have to be extra careful with mages whose names and schools aren’t well-known. The famous ones are tainted by the world and easier to handle.”
But Eugene was more focused on something else than mages.
‘The labyrinth in Evergrow County still hasn’t had a single high-tier monster slain, right?’
That was according to the Feilin Merchant Group’s intel, at least.
Yet the count’s family was hiring a mage for the first time in nearly five years.
‘Either they want to explore the uncharted areas to expand the hunting grounds, or...’
- There’s a slim chance something’s gone wrong inside the labyrinth.
Eugene recalled Prechella’s words.
It seemed he’d have plenty to discuss with Galpredic once they met.
* * *
After two days’ travel from Maren, Eugene’s group finally arrived at the Evergrow Count’s territory.
The count’s castle, modest in scale for its rank, had its gates wide open, and the guards—forewarned—waved Eugene’s group through immediately.
“Sir Yan of the Eugene family has arrived. Please, enter, sir.”
Guided by the elderly steward, Eugene tucked his helmet under his arm and stepped through the open door.
Four people waited in the spacious, tidy office.
Eugene ignored the others and approached the young noble seated behind a large desk in the center, resting a hand on his sword hilt and giving a slight bow.
“Pleased to meet you, my lord. I am Yan of the Eugene family.”
“You’re younger and more handsome than I’d heard. They say there’s elf blood in your lineage?”
Jevin, the eldest son of the Evergrow Count and heir to the territory, was a handsome man in his early thirties with gray hair.
The count was still hale, but Jevin had been handling certain matters for the past two years—including the mana realm subjugations.
“Yes. My late father told me as much.”
“Even diluted, elven beauty doesn’t fade. Sit.”
“Yes.”
Once settled in the plush chair, Eugene finally glanced at the other three.
“Make your introductions. As you know, this is Sir Yan Eugene. Beside him is Sir Entler, and next is Sir Rugates.”
Eugene exchanged silent nods with the two knights.
He might not know Entler, but Rugates was familiar from all the talk.
The knight who’d won last year’s tournament hosted by the Evergrow Count.
Galpredic had rated his swordsmanship as equal to his own.
‘Though Galpredic said the outcome would’ve been different if he hadn’t been injured in the semifinals. And there were suspicions about the joust, too.’
Rugates had a fierce face that clashed with his flamboyant golden hair down to his shoulders.
Judging a knight by looks was foolish, but Eugene somehow felt the Entler beside him seemed stronger.
“And this person is...”
At Jevin’s introduction, Eugene looked at the figure sitting demurely between the count’s heir and the knights.
“Lady Romari. One of the mages carrying on the Sandstone School’s legacy. She excels at Magic Sand, an earth spell for tracking human traces.”
Even with the count’s heir present, the mage—who hid half her face under a hood—lifted her head slightly.
‘A woman?’
Eugene was a bit surprised by the hollow eyes under long lashes, reminiscent of a dead fish.
It was his first time seeing a real mage, and he hadn’t expected a woman.
The mage seemed slightly surprised by Eugene too. A flicker of light passed through her vacant eyes before vanishing.
“Well then, Sir Yan. First, thank you for arriving earlier than planned. But given the circumstances, I hope you understand we must discuss the subjugation right away.”
“I’m fine with that, my lord Jevin.”
“Hm. A knight as courteous as his reputation suggests.”
Like a high noble, Jevin knew how to display proper manners in front of watchful eyes. He smiled briefly and continued.
“I’d planned to confer with these three, but since you’ve just arrived, Sir Yan, let’s proceed together. Ah, but first...”
Jevin looked back at Eugene, his voice turning somber.
“You were close friends with Sir Galpredic, weren’t you, Sir Yan?”
“Ah... You could say that.”
He wasn’t sure it qualified as ‘deep friendship,’ but knowing Galpredic’s personality, he’d probably boasted as much. Eugene nodded.
“As expected. Then I have some sad news. Two months ago, in the last labyrinth subjugation, Sir Galpredic didn’t return.”
“...!”
It was the biggest shock Eugene had felt since his regression.
“Of course, his death isn’t confirmed. Sir Galpredic and his entire team went missing. Here’s what happened...”
True to his education, Jevin explained the incident’s details calmly and coherently.
“...That’s why we hired you and Lady Romari. Does that make sense?”
“Yes. May I ask a question?”
“Go ahead.”
Eugene addressed not Jevin, but the one who’d looked bored from the start.
“Sir Rugates. Will you be joining this subjugation?”
“...!”
Staring straight into the startled Rugates’ eyes, Eugene pressed on.
“You were the last to see Sir Galpredic. Your participation would greatly aid the search.”
Rugates glared at Eugene briefly, glanced at Jevin, then replied.
“I’d like to, but our territory’s rules limit estate knights to two subjugations per year. You free knights might not get it.”
He emphasized the end especially—clearly implying knights had ‘ranks.’
And he wasn’t entirely wrong. Nobles who owned mana realms didn’t send their commissioned knights into subjugations often.
Free knights and mercenaries sufficed, so there was no need to risk vital estate knight forces in the labyrinth.
Still, idling elite talent wasn’t ideal, so they typically joined two or three times a year.
“For force preservation, you mean?”
“You get it.”
At Rugates’ smile, Eugene turned to Jevin.
“My lord Jevin, the Sir Galpredic I know was an exceptional knight. If he returns safely, he’d be a great asset to Evergrow’s forces, wouldn’t he?”
“...!”
As Rugates’ face soured, Jevin stroked his chin.
“Not wrong. However, as I said, the issue is that Sir Galpredic joined without formal commission.”
Galpredic had successfully led the Tiwin family’s gate-opening subjugation, but the Evergrow Count hadn’t commissioned him right away.
He’d conditioned it on Galpredic proving himself in the count’s own Morrison Mountain labyrinth.
A rational stance, if calculating—like a true noble.
“It’s his own fault for being so greedy for glory in the first place...”
At Rugates’ low mutter, Eugene shot him a glance.
Nothing about the man sat right, but with the count’s heir present, Eugene couldn’t retort. Instead, he said to Jevin,
“So the labyrinth subjugation will be me, Sir Entler, and Lady Romari?”
“Correct. We’ve got fourteen mercenaries and four porters on our side.”
That made twenty-seven with Eugene’s group—standard for a mana realm subjugation party.
No, with a mage, their force was much stronger.
“Since searching for Sir Galpredic and the missing members is the priority, we’ll pay three hundred silver as a success bonus. I’ve spoken to the Feilin Merchant Group too. Can you depart tomorrow morning?”
“That’s fine.”
“Straightforward—I like it. Now, here’s the subjugation plan.”
Jevin’s briefing lasted a few minutes.
Sir Entler, an Evergrow estate knight, would lead the party, while Romari was hired specifically to locate the missing.
“Any questions?”
“None.”
“Good. I’ll provide quarters for you and your group. You there.”
At Jevin’s call, the waiting steward personally guided Eugene.
“Sir Yan, could you spare a moment?”
But as Eugene turned to follow the steward, the mage—who hadn’t spoken once—called out softly.
With the steward’s leave, Eugene approached Romari, standing a bit apart.
“What is it?”
Romari, with her eerie, unfocused eyes, asked in a low voice.
“If it’s not too much trouble, might we speak privately later?”
“Kieek!? This wench trying to seduce our milord? I won’t allow it! Scram!”
Ignoring the fussing Mirian, Eugene replied.
“No real reason to, and I’m not interested.”
“If it’ll help you, Sir Yan, it won’t be a loss. Could you spare time after dinner? I’ll come quietly.”
“Hmm. Do as you like.”
Eugene pondered briefly, then nodded.
Unlike priests, mages weren’t particularly hostile to vampires, and Romari’s magic would aid in finding Galpredic.
* * *
“Missing...”
Back in his assigned guesthouse quarters, Eugene clicked his tongue.
Things were going sideways from his very first contracted subjugation with the Feilin Merchant Group.
Mirian landed on his shoulder and chattered.
“Milord, milord. Big bear aside, that raccoon-faced mage girl. Isn’t she kinda weird?”
“Why?”
“She’s from the Sandstone School, but I barely sensed any earth vibe. And she gave off a vibe kinda like the Night Clan. Didn’t you feel it?”
“Hmm.”
It was his first time seeing a mage up close, but Eugene trusted Mirian’s words.
Some instinct, a vampire’s intuition.
When their eyes met, he’d been surprised she was a woman, but also felt an odd familiarity.
If it was some covert spell, nothing to be done, but Eugene trusted his near-infallible senses.
“Well, she says she has something to say, so I’ll find out later.”
“Hmph! Don’t let her fool you! My seniors said mage girls are total man-eaters!”
“Not interested.”
“Kekeke! I knew I could count on my Eugene milord!”
Ignoring the spirit’s quick shift after its tantrum, Eugene thought of Romari.
‘What does she want with me? She didn’t seem dangerous.’
Unlikely, but if Lady Romari proved a threat, today would mark his first time tasting mage blood.
(To be continued in the next installment)